Little Ponderosa Zoo to host ‘Low Sensory Evening’ Sept. 4
Erica Harness of Jacksboro visits with parrot Rosie at the LIttle Ponderosa Zoo and Wildlife Rescue during a bird fundraising event in August 2024. Looking on is Harness’ daughter, Luna, and Anthony Estrada. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
A zoo announcement said that these evenings, which Little Ponderosa sponsors periodically, “are especially appropriate for children and adults with autism, and/or Sensory Processing Disorder.”
But they are also open to children with any type of special need, and their families, the announcement said.
Little Ponderosa, the official zoo of Anderson County, is at 629 Granite Road, in the Dutch Valley community near Clinton.
Normally, the zoo is not open in the evenings. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, call 865-457-5536, or visit the website littleponderosazoo.com.
Other special events coming up soon at the Little Ponderosa include Jeeps of the Jungle, Sunday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is designed to attract “all Jeep enthusiasts,” the zoo’s announcement says. It’s open to everyone, however.
Next will be the Little Ponderosa’s 14th-annual Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is an important fund-raising event, held every fall for the Little Ponderosa, helping the zoo to buy the necessary feed and supplies to keep its animals warm and happy over the coming winter.
Besides the many animals on display both inside and outside the zoo’s buildings, there will be vendor booths set up throughout the property, and several food options to keep visitors fed, including a Kona Ice truck.
Also slated is the fourth-annual Chili Cook-Off, which allows contestants to enter a crock pot of their favorite chili recipe to vie for prizes. Entry fee is $25, and the money goes to help feed the zoo’s many animals.
Prizes include an annual family pass to Little Ponderosa, a zoo hoodie, and a zoo T-shirt or hat. Contestants must register in advance.
“We will have live music, vendors, face painting, games, pony rides, inflatables, great food, buckets of food to feed the animals, and a gift shop,” zoo officials said.
A bounce house and inflatable slide will be set up to keep kids entertained, and pony rides will be available for children, as well.
The zoo’s animals will be the real stars of the show, including plenty of baby goats, many of whom will be roaming the grounds and making friends with the visitors; and Baby Cash, a curious, friendly young camel that the zoo acquired two years ago as a rescue.
There is a marmoset monkey exhibit, opened in 2023, that visitors can see, built by zoo directors Cade and Corbin Cox.
Little Ponderosa’s Cookshack will also be open, offering food and ice cream treats.
School buses will be on hand to ferry visitors to the zoo from remote parking areas, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office will direct traffic and help keep visitors safe.
Later in the month will be “Trick or Treat at the Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue,” which will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25.
“Dress up and come out to trick or treat in our spooky zoo! Lots of animals, fun, and CANDY,” a zoo announcement says. Tickets will be $6 each by pre-order through Oct. 14, or $8 at the door the night of each event.
